Our Coach

Leahona Rowland

My name is Leahona Rowland. In 2019 I achieved my High Performance 1 Coach Certification, and I am also an Advanced Level event rider. I am going on my fifth year as the Alberta High Performance Coach/Consultant as well as the Alberta Young Rider Coach in 2019. Upon leaving BC when I was 18 I have traveled and trained throughout Canada, the US and the UK for the past 17 years until my recent return to BC in 2017.

I have had the opportunity to have trained and ridden for William Fox-Pitt, Beth Underhill, Scott Keach and Sandy Phillips. I have trained with David O’Connor, Nigel Taylor, Tiny Clapham and Andrew Hoy. I was also a working student for Peter Gray, Penny Rowland and Lynda Ramsay.  I am very excited to be a part of the Alberta High Performance and Alberta Young Rider Program and look forward to being a part of what this excellent team of dedicated riders can accomplish.

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We are proud to have Leahona Rowland for her fifth year of coaching the Alberta High Performance Eventing Team. Leahona has extensive experience and knowledge in all 3 disciplines and a has an encouraging, honest and optimistic coaching style which make her an absolute asset to our team members. She offers both coaching at events and clinics, as well as personal support and consultations with each member to assist them in building a individualized plan suited for that particular horse and rider to help them reach their goals and achieve success.

Leahona’s Experience Timeline:

  • 2012-2016- Trained, competed, and coached in the UK
    • Successfully brought on several horses, as well as students, through the levels
  • 2010-2012- Trained with previous Canadian Team Coach, David O’Connor
  • 2009- Trained and worked for Australian Olympic Show Jumper, Scott Keach
    • Responsible for training and exercising competition horses
  • 2008- Head Rider for William Fox-Pitt
    • GBR Olympic Event rider, and former number one ranked FEI Event rider
    • Assistant rider to William; in charge of maintaining training and exercise programs for his top Event horses
  • 2007- Trained and worked for Canadian Olympic Show Jumper, Beth Underhill
  • 2005-2006- Trained in the UK with various top level riders;
    • Mark Phillips: previous US Team Event Coach
    • Sandy Philips: GBR Grand Prix Dressage Rider
    • Tiny Clapham: GBR 4-Star Event Rider
    •  Nigel Taylor: GBR 4-Star Event Rider
    • Andrew Hoy: AUS Olympic Event Rider
  • 2004- Working student for former Canadian Team Coach, Peter Gray
  • 2003- Working student for 4-Star Canadian rider, Penny Rowland
  • 2002- Working student for 3-Star event rider, Yves Sauvignon
  • 1995-2001- Trained with former Alberta High Performance coach/consultant, and EC level 3 coach, Lynda Ramsay


 Notable Competition Record:

  • 2012-2016
    • Glencento: successfully competed to the CCI** and Advanced level in the UK, completing Houghton and Hartbury CCI**
    • Simply Maple: successfully brought up to CCI**, completing Houghton CCI** with a double clear record qualifying for the 2015 Pan Am Games
  • 2009-2012
    • Lorenzo: Successfully competed up to Advanced and CCI**
      • Placed first at the Florida 3-Day Event CCI*
      • Placed second at the Florida 3-Day Event CCI**,
    • El Paso: Successfully brought up to Intermediate and CCI*​
      • Placed first at Wits End Horse Trials CIC*
      • Placed second at Florida 3-Day Event CCI*
    • Lambrusco: Successfully competed up to Advanced and CCI**
      • Placed first at Wits End Horse Trials CCI*
      • Placed first at Will-O-Wind CIC**
  • 2004-2007
    • R’Kameo: Successfully brought up to Intermediate and CCI*
      • Placed first at Wits End Horse Trials CCI*
      • Placed first at Stone Hill Horse Trials CIC*
      • Won Intermediate Championship in 2006
  • 2000-2004
    • Upolu: Successfully competed to Advanced and CCI**

Awards & Qualifications 

  • ​High Performance 1 Coach
  • 2010:
    • Ontario Horse Trials Association (OHTA), Leading Lady Rider of the Year
    • Lambrusco OHTA Horse of the Year
    • Lorenzo OHTA Intermediate Champion
  • 2006, 2007
    • ​R’ Kameo won 9 events in a row, resulting in her being the OHTA Preliminary Champion
    • Coached Young Rider Jessica DiGenova on former horse Upolu, to CCI*, and CCI** gold
  • 1999
    • ​Galiano BC Training Champion ​

 

Future Plans:

Now that I have moved back to BC I have set my focus on growing my business. I am fortunate to love coaching as much as competing. Along with producing quality event horses I would like to strongly focus on helping riders reach their goals whatever they may be.